The large pylon which has been humming away on Clive Matthewson’s Port Chalmers property since the late 1950s, was discharged from duty and removed yesterday.
Affectionately named ‘‘my ugly garden friend’’ by Dr Matthewson, it was one of several structures which ran high-voltage electricity across Otago Harbour to Portobello.
‘‘I was starting to think he really did have a personality, and that the environment was putting up a fight for him to stay, because as they were cutting the bottom, the skies opened up and I’ve never seen rain like it,’’ he said.
Weather permitting, a helicopter and contractors will continue the project today, by removing the Portobello pylon, then the Quarantine Island pylon on September 14, and the Goat Island pylon on September 24.
The lines were replaced recently by submarine cables because it was cheaper than replacing the pylons and wires.
Of course, aside from cost, there were other advantages, Dr Matthewson said.
He now had a million-dollar view and was certain his property value had just skyrocketed.
‘‘It’s an unbelievable view now.’’
Dr Matthewson said he hoped to put them on display somewhere as a reminder of his ‘‘ugly friend’’.
